mutti471975

Congrats Linda - It is so exciting to watch those sizes drop. Keeping in going!

Let me be clear that I have to pick just two things a day to eat. I've been told that I need to add veggies and fruit but they just don't feel good. A co-worker of mine can eat everything.... bread, fruits, veggies, pizza. No me.... to much grease (fat) or sugar will send me to the bathroom for several hours..... So just be aware that I really have to watch my combination of Proteins. My doctors office is pleased with my progress because my hosptial stay and the first two weeks were really hard. My husband was scared to death. I couldn't get any Protein in and could verily get 32 oz of liquids in.... As I said in another post - sf popicles were my best friend (should have had stock in blue bell sf popiscles).

I am four months out and still have problems with some foods. especialy beef. I eat chicken, pork, yogurt, cheese, some eggs, oatmeal and cream of wheat. Oh yes, tuna goes down easy as well. I'm still doing Protein drinks in order to get my 60 grams of protein in. My doctor explained that at least his sleeves are basically two straws side by side. That's small and narrow. After he explained that, I was able to understand better. It does it better but some days are still harder than others. Hope this helps!

As you can see, we have and/or are mourning our comfort of food. I didn't realize how much I used food until thanksgiving... I managed to get through two weddings (one was my son's and the other my favorite nephew). Financial distress came and my comfort food was not there for me.... We can do this, it just takes time and patience (which I definitely lack). Welcome abroad!!!

I am so very thankful that I found my doctor and he talked to me about the sleeve and my darling hubby's insurance covered the sleeve. Thank you Jesus for guiding me to my wonderful doctor.

Hi everyone, My name is Jodi (mutti). I had my surgery on August 31, 2009. I started at 214 lbs. and I am 4'11". My BMI was 41.8. My surgeon was/is Dr. Eric Wilson (Houston, TX). I am currently weigh 161 with a BMI of 33. I've been stick at this weight for about 2 1/2 weeks down. I know I'm losing inches but even that seems to have slowed down. I've been on the boards a lot lately looking for encouragement and decided it was time to put myself out there. thanks for letting me lurk and now join in the conversation.:w00t:

Deedee - I do work out with a personal trainer 2 days a week. I wondered if I needed to add to that. He has told me I don't eat enough (even through he told me his aunt had a Gastric Bypass), he doesn't understand that it's just not possible. When I started working out - is when my weight loss stopped. I talked to my doctor at my 3 month check up and he wasn't concerned. I have lost 8 inches overall during the month I've been working out with him. Just frustrating... I know I set myself up with expectation that don't happen then start second guessing myself with my decision. I need ya'll help in not sabotaging myself once again....

My NSV was when my son in law told me he thought I had lost enough weight. Little does he know I need to lose another 30 - 40 lbs. Also, my daughter told me my 14 jeans where to big.

I told no one except my husband. I had to have hiatal hernia repair and was told I had an ulcer two months prior to my surgery. My daughters were not happy with me (after surgery) but I felt it was a personal decision and didn't want to hear anything negative. I had tried everything I had heard of and wasn't successful with any of it (including a personal trainer 2 days a week and going to the gym 3 additional days a week along with a 1200 calorie diet. I lost 8 lbs in 5 months and only 8 inches. My health was bad. HBP, high chorlestral (sp) and the beginning of diabetes. My BMI was 41. I am now three months out and down 52 lbs. with my BMI at 33. When people ask me - I tell them.

I was wearing a very tight 16W (actually they didn't fit anymore) so really a 18 when I had my surgery. I was two weeks out and went shopping. Stupidly bought a size 14 and a 12 when I couldn't find any 16s. Two months out from surgery, I decided to try the 14 on....took them to be hemmed. It took me 3 weeks to get them back because the place was never open... Wore the 14s on thanksgiving day and my daughter told me they were to big....now taking the 12s to be hemmed. Who would have thought that three months I would drop from a 18 to a 12..... :w00t:

Worse case scenario, you have to find Protein drinks to supplement your protein. I didn't tolerate solids until about 9 weeks out and I still managed to travel two states away / plan a wedding for my son and daughter in law (her mother is deceased) and travel back with my four year old granddaughter. You just have to plan for whatever is happening with your sleeve. The clothes thing is so neat. I went from 18s to 12 in just 7 weeks. Now I am stuck but still loosing inches..... Have fun - it is very doable.

I also had major problems drinking. I was actually kept in the hospital another night because i couldn't take in the fluids necessary to stay hydrated. Once home, I went through tons of sf popicles. It was about the only thing that I could handle the first 3 -4 days. Crystal lite was to sweet, plus to me it was annoying to only sip. I also would drink caffeine free tea mainly in the morning. couldn't stand decaf coffee. SF popicles was my best friend for days. I did the heat pad thing but walking really was the best. Good luck!

I am now Lactose Intolerant; so I drink Oh Yeah protein (lactose free). An 8 oz. bottle has 18 grams of protein. I love the cookies and cream and chocolate. The strawberries n cream is okay and so is the vanilla. the banana creme is nasty to me. :scared0:

I also had lots of blood work, cardic clearance, edg (found ulcer, hiata hernia and way to much stomach acids, ekg, echo, physic, 3 months of nutrition. My thought process was the more, the better I'm prepared with what ever problems I can before having surgery.

One of my friends is looking into LapBand Surgery with Dr. Story. He's located in Pasadena, Tx but I've been unable to find anyone who has used him. Please help!

Hey everyone - I second the "don't buy a bunch before you have your surgery. I had purchased a couple of different types of protein shakes. Now that I'm sleeed - i can't stand any of them. They are too sweet as well as I am 'lactose intolerant' since I've had surgery. So much for being prepared before. I really struggles with this for several days partially becuase I didn't realize that I was 'lactose intolerant". Now that I've foun d "Oh, Yeah" I am much happier.

jsm - I am one week out and I also was very scared - still a small amount. But I can tell you this. I've gotten to two different restuarants with my kiddos and hubby and I'm not even interested in their food. I've lost 22.5 lbs in two weeks = one week preop and one week postop. I believe this sleeve will work for you if you follow the program... Now I have a friend that had the complete bypass a week before myself and she's gained weigh but in talking with her she's been eating small amounts of food the first week - hello... my doctor doesn't have me eating pureed food until three weeks out. You must be completed and work the tool. Hope this gives you some insight.

I highly recommend Dr Eric Wilson in Houston, TX. He is an excellent doctor and his staff is wonderful. Please feel free to contact me if you need additional information.

Thanks for the advise. I know it will get better but it's frusrating right now. My hubby is freaking out because I can't get 60 oz of fluids in. I'm right below the 48 oz mark everyday. Suppose to start protein today but it wasn't going down good. Will try again at noon but now I'm behind on my other fluids. So frusrating (sp)

I am three days out and really having problems getting in enough liquids. Everything taste to sweet (crystal lite), regular Water tastes bad also. Jello feels like it is not goingg down right. So very afraid of getting dehydrated. Any suggestions.:scared0:

One of the ladies I work with gets it every year. She swears by a mixture of water and clorax bleach. She says it helps dry it out. If you need formula, let me know and I'll ask her tomorrow.

Walking a 1/2 or full marathon is very doable!! I've completed 3 1/2s and one full. I was undertrained for the full but still would love to complete another one. There are walking groups that train for marathons. There are two or three in the Houston area that do not require fund raising. Also Team-in-training which requires fund raising. There is also a Avon 3 day event for breast cancer which is also 'walking or running'. There are definately out there.

I was overweight but not as much as I am now. You have to be at the 11 mile marker by a certain time or you can't continue to full marathon. After the 7 hours, they start from the beggining of the course, picking up as they go along. In Nashville, you had approximately 30 minutes from the 7 hour mark. I know each race is different. A friend was walking the Disney race and they started picking up before the race was completed. You might be able to contact race officials for this in formation. Nashville was very hilly - at around the 20 mile marker, there was a very long gradualy climb - I really did not think I was going to make it. Also, towards the end of the race time, people are starting to leave and you don't have the crowds cheering you on. Do you know about the different "goos"? Basically, it's a quick dose of sugar and Protein. How are you training? do you have any kind of guide line? Blisters were a big thing for me. I personally have found that using vaseline is just about as good as anything for chafing. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. I hope to do a 1/2 in March of this next year. I've registered. I might do San Antonio in November depending on when I get approval for surgery. I have already discussed doing another marathon with my nutritionist. She said she would help guide me through the food process which would be different than a normal marathoner. Stay in touch - I would love to know how you did.:tongue_smilie: Good luck!

It's been a few years but yes, I have walked a marathon. I was not properly trained and it took me 7 hours 33 minutes. It was in Nashville and the last part of the course was on some less populated roads. There were about 30 people behind me. Ask me anything you want - I'll try to answer. Jodi

But the problem is that some people think - if you're only 200 lbs just diet - well my 200 lbs (because I'm short) is your 300 lbs. I have the same problems that you have at 300 Lbs - both physcially and mentally. So again - YES 200 lb people should be able to have the surgery. Also, if you are happy at 200 lbs - you might need your mindset changed. Unless you're tall - 200 lbs is still a lot of weight to carry around. Good luck everyone!:tongue2: